Destination: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Dates: July 22-Aug 1, 2021
Reason: Family Vacation
Day 1 July 22, 2021
Our trip began on a Thursday this time so we could take an extra day. The sun was still a long way from coming up when we pulled out at 4:45am. It took Finn longer to fall back asleep than I expected; it wasn’t until we were almost in Kentucky. The Brent Spence had construction so we took I-471 to I-275 to get back on I-75 south.
There were no snags or delays, and we got off on 25E in Corbin, Kentucky to get over to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. We arrived at the Visitor Center just before it opened, so we took the Pinnacles Overlook road first. The view from the overlook was outstanding. Low-lying fog hadn’t burned off yet so we were looking down on clouds in the valley below. Back at the Visitor Center, Finn really liked a stuffed black bear and got his Junior Ranger badge. We ate donut holes in the parking lot for breakfast.
Heading back on the road, our next stop was Congaree National Park in South Carolina. Their Visitor Center closed at 5:00pm, but our GPS had us arriving at 3:30pm- no worries. Except that we found awful construction traffic on I-40, right near the Tennessee-North Carolina border. The highway went down to one lane, and since we were in the Smoky Mountains, big trucks were struggling. The delay added an hour to our drive.
At the North Carolina Welcome Center we ate lunch. Finn had a peanut butter sandwich and fruit snacks. I took the wheel back and Julia caught a nap, as did Finn, which meant they missed more traffic at the I-40/I-26 interchange, which added another 40 minutes. Now the GPS had us at Congaree around 5:10pm. I focused in, buckled down, and drove as craftily as I could.
Cruising past Columbia, South Carolina, we managed to pull into Congaree at 4:30pm. Upon exiting the car we were immediately hit with a blast of humidity and delicious pine smell. We were sweating instantly. Hastening into the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, we picked up a magnet and a Junior Ranger badge. Then we hit the boardwalk loop. It’s a 2.5 mile loop through swampy hardwood forest with cypress trees all around.
Finn walked on his own a bit and was interested in every single leaf on the trail. He tired out quickly due to the heat, and I carried him afterward. The carrier hurt my shoulders. As we walked along we kept our eyes out for wildlife. We spied a deer off in the woods that turned and watched us. After a moment it turned and ran off. Next, I spotted a snapping turtle sleeping in the mud. On either side of us were spiders- large ones with banded legs.
As we left the elevated boardwalk and got to the low one, we heard a loud rustle in the bush next to us and Julia yelped. She had seen a large black snake drop out and slither quickly off. That was enough for us. We turned back and marched off. On the way back we saw two more snakes, although we were elevated from them.
Sweating like we never had before, we left the park and drove about 15 minutes to our AirBnB in Eastover, South Carolina. It was a cabin on a farm- clean- but with some “interesting” quirks. Like, the shower turned on using a pair of pliers. Or, the bedroom door had a hole that a previous renter had put in it. But, there was a stuffed patchwork cat that Finn found and loved.
For dinner, we looked on Google for something interesting. We found a place called Fish Hole, but when we got to where it was supposed to be it was gone. Instead, we were surrounded by run-down buildings and poverty. We ended up going a further way out and got McDonald’s. Back at the cabin, Finn wanted to stay up and party, but we finally got him down.
Day 2 July 23, 2021
Wake up time was 5:30am and we got on the road at 7:00. At a rest area we finished off the donuts. As we turned on to I-95 south, Julia got very excited. We were headed to Savannah, and she hadn’t been back there since her year of college at SCAD. We got off the highway in Hardeeville and crossed the large bridge as we went over the Georgia border. On the way to Fort Pulaski National Monument we stopped at Julia’s old dorm, then drove around briefly to see her old haunts.
At Fort Pulaski we stopped by the Visitor Center then entered the fort. Finn got to touch a cannon and run around just a bit. Julia at a fig off a bush. We toured the grounds and climbed stairs to get atop the walls. A large cargo ship went by on the Savannah River. Then the heat started getting to us so we got a magnet and Finn’s Junior Ranger badge and headed out.
On the way into Savannah we stopped at a Target and bought a small folding stroller so we wouldn’t have to carry Finn all over the city. When we got back into the city we parked in a garage and went first to the riverfront, stopping for a photo of the Waving Girl statue, then tried to get lunch at the Pirate House restaurant, a local historical institution, but the wait was too long. We made our way to Broughton Street, the main shopping thoroughfare, and were so hot we just had to find a place to rest and eat. Luckily for us, a place called the Funky Brunch was right there, and we got sandwiches and cooled off.
Once we were regulated, we walked and popped into the shops on Broughton, visiting places that Julia frequented as an 18 year old student. She bought some lavender at a French boutique. We went into a nostalgia-based pop culture store and were surprised to find a shelf full of Cincinnati Bearcat mascot plush.
When we got back to the car we swung out to Bonaventure cemetery to look at the fancy statuary. Afterward it was time to check in to our AirBnB. It was a modern, swanky, third-floor apartment in an old building right next to Forsyth Park. We got showers, all dressed up, and took a very pleasant stroll around the park to take photos.
We got back in the car one last time, drove just a little downtown, and parked near Madison Square. We walked over to Chippewa Square and got dinner at a British pub themed restaurant called Six Pence. Julia got shepherd’s pie and I got a pot roast sandwich. After dinner we returned to the apartment and went to bed.
Day 3 July 24, 2021
Everyone awoke with a great sense of excitement since we would be in Florida later in the day. We got the car packed up (lugging the heavy baggage down 3 floors) and said goodbye to Savannah around 8:00am. Julia was a little sad to leave.
We eagerly counted the miles down to the Florida border. At the Welcome Center we popped in so Finn could get his first taste of the traditional orange juice. Then, it was only about another ½ hour til we got to Fort Caroline National Memorial in Jacksonville. At the Visitor Center we picked up a Junior Ranger booklet for Finn and walked the short trail to the fort, stopping along the way to hear a volunteer ranger speak about the lifestyle of the Timucua tribe who inhabited the area long before European settlers. The fort itself commemorates the short-lived presence of the French in the Florida region. They were driven out by the Spanish pretty quickly. Back at the Visitor Center Finn was sworn in as a Junior Ranger.
In the car again, we took I-295 south to catch I-95. After a quick stop at McDonald’s we shot straight down to 44 and New Smyrna Beach. Of course, Finn fell asleep and missed as we cruised in. As for me, it felt like coming home.
We followed 44 to A1A, pointing out familiar landmarks and trying to see what had changed. Our first stop was at Bethune Park to show Finn the manatees for the first time. Unfortunately, the water was very low and there was only one swimming a ways out in the lagoon. We loaded up and drove the grueling minute down to J.B.’s for lunch. Since a hurricane had blown through, the whole restaurant was redone. Still, we had tasty oysters and beer.
It was 3:00pm when we finished up and checked into the condo, Chatham by the Sea. This time around the condo was super nice and clean. Half an hour after we got there my parents and sisters rolled in. We all unpacked and exchanged stories of our trips. Then, Julia and I went to Manny’s Pizza to pick up dinner. My parents watched Finn.
After dinner Julia and I took Finn for a walk on the beach. Then we watched the Olympics for a bit and went to bed.
Day 4 July 25, 2021
Julia woke up around 6:00am, but Finn and I slept in until 7:30. We ate a small breakfast of donuts with the family then we all went down to the beach. It was very windy and made setting up our tent and umbrellas difficult. The tide was very high and the breakers were large. There was a significant rip tide as well. My dad, Michelle, Vic, and I went out a bit while Julia and my mom played in the sand with Finn. It was his first time hanging out on the beach.
Since it was so windy, we moved up to the pool after an hour. Finn had a blast floating around, and was showing great aptitude for swimming. He was fearless, dunking his head under water and kicking his legs.
After swimming we had sandwiches for lunch in the condo then made a Publix run for groceries. Short naps followed, then dinner for Julia, Finn, and I at J.B.’s. Typical oysters, and this time smoked fish dip for a side.
When we got back from dinner we took a quick dip in the pool, then watched tv until bed.
Day 5 July 26, 2021
Today was the second time Julia and I spent our honeymoon down in New Smyrna. We slept in until 8:30ish. Once everyone was awake we all piled into my parent’s van and went to Canaveral National Seashore, just 1 mile down the road. It was Finn and Vic’s first time. Everyone got out to walk the boardwalk up Turtle Mound, a spot my family has visited for over 30 years. But it was so hot and humid that it pretty much wiped us all out.
At the Visitor Center my mom opted to stay in the car while Finn picked up his passport stamp and Junior Ranger booklet. His grandpa bought him a toy sea turtle. We got back in the car and did a driving tour of the seashore, where we saw a snake in the Eldora road, lots of gopher tortoises, and a man in a thong. On the way out we hit the Visitor Center one more time to get Finn’s badge.
Back at the condo, my parents and sisters left for lunch while we stayed in. After lunch we managed to nap then hit the pool.
For dinner, Julia and I celebrated our 7th anniversary at Norwood’s treehouse bar, where she got a tequila drink with squid ink and I had an Old Fashioned with pinot noir in it. Finn stayed at the condo for dinner with his grandparents. We intended to get ice cream afterward, but the line was long at the Twisty Freeze, so we came home and went to bed.
Day 6 July 27, 2021
Julia and I woke up at 6:30am to catch the sunrise. Finn stayed with my parents. We walked along the beach for a mile, reaching Canaveral before we even realized it. Back at the condo, my parents went out for breakfast and I made corned beef hash. Then, Julia and I took Finn to the beach and Vic tagged along to get pictures of shore birds. The waves were strong once again, so we spent our time on the shore. Finn absolutely loved the water.
After a quick lunch of sandwiches, we all took a long nap while we had a typical New Smyrna storm, complete with plenty of thunder and lightning. When we woke up we took Finn along with us to shop on Canal Street. Unfortunately, we discovered that nearly everything over there closed at 4:00pm, except for a brewery, so we popped in for a beer. Once we finished there we headed over to Flagler along the north causeway and went into some shops. Julia got a coffee from Beachy Beans and we met a local celebrity named Jethro. He was a large English bulldog and was super friendly.
On the way back to the condo we stopped at Scratch ice cream shop in the plaza where Food Lion used to be. It was good ice cream. We came back, got changed, and went to J.B.’s for dinner again. Julia and I ended up eating 2 dozen oysters this time. Then we came home, hung out with my parents a bit, and went to bed.
Day 7 July 28, 2021
Today was my dad’s birthday. We celebrated in the evening. But first, Julia, Finn, and I got up a little early and started off for St Augustine around 8:30am. After an uneventful trip up I-95, we got off a little south of the city and went over to Fort Matanzas National Monument. Even at 10:00am the parking lot was jammed. We circled twice and ended up making a fake spot.
When we got to the ranger and went to pick up a pass for the ferry that takes you across the Matanzas River, the earliest time they had was for 1:30pm. We picked 2:30 and decided to come back. So we set our sights on Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and drove 20 minutes. Julia was fascinated with the Old Town and the look and feel.
It took us a little to find a parking spot at the Castillo. Then, we waited in a 30 minute line to get into the fort because they implemented COVID capacity limits again. The NPS did offer free sun-shield umbrellas though, especially because the temperature was 94 degrees with a real-feel of 102.
Once we were inside we did a little exploring, sticking to the shade and interior of the fort. We were unable to go up on the ramparts since we had Finn in a stroller. We looked around, got a Junior Ranger badge and souvenirs, then headed back to the car since the heat and humidity were making everyone cranky.
Our original plan called for walking around the town and shopping, but the extreme heat changed our minds. Instead, we drove north along US1 a ways, just sightseeing. We flipped around south and stopped for lunch at a place called Red Frog and McToad’s, a weird sports bar on A1A near Fort Matanzas. They were understaffed and the facility was a little rough, but the food was good. While we ate a thunderstorm popped up.
Back at Fort Matanzas, it was still storming, and we found out our tour was canceled for inclement weather. Finn still got his Junior Ranger badge, and I got to see the fort from across the river. We had an uneventful return to New Smyrna.
On the way to the condo we picked up a key lime pie for my dad from Publix, since Mon Delice bakery inexplicably closed at 3:00pm. When we got back Vic made a pasta dinner, we all ate pie, and watched rain come down all evening. My dad opened his gifts and we turned in early, about 9:00pm.
Day 8 July 29, 2021
After snoozing through our alarms, and missing the sunrise, we rolled out of bed, ate breakfast, and made our way to the beach. The waves were extremely pleasant, perfect for floating. While Julia watched Finn on the shore, Michelle, Vic, and I finally went out past the breakers. A small group of dolphins swam by while we were out there. Meanwhile, Finn was having so much fun playing in the surf, and my parents came down and got in the ocean. We moved up to the pool a little bit later.
Lunch followed, then a nap. When we woke up, my mom, Vic, Julia, Finn, and I went to the Bob Ross gallery, where we saw some of his original artworks. Vic bought a paintbrush.
After dropping Vic and my mom off, Julia, Finn, and I went to Chase’s for dinner so we could sit by the ocean while we ate. Rain was coming in, but didn’t stop us from enjoying the beach when we got back. Julia sculpted a sand cat. When we moved up to the pool, Finn floated on his back.
We finished off the night by playing Clue (I won!) and then went to bed.
Day 9 July 30, 2021
Our last day in Florida. We went to the beach and pool after breakfast. Finn had so much fun again, running all over the beach and drawing in the sand. After swimming we ate lunch at J.B.’s and took a nap. When we got up the whole family went for ice cream and Vic treated us. A trip to Publix followed to pick up provisions for our trip home. On the way back we went by Bethune for the umpteenth time, but once again saw no manatees. Sadly, we only saw one manatee the whole trip.
We began packing when we got home and I discovered that I lost a pair of Teva sandals somehow. That’s really all we did, except for a final walk on the beach. When we picked up Finn to turn back to the condo he cried very hard. None of us wanted to leave.
Day 10 July 31, 2021
With a lot of sadness and tiredness, we bid goodbye to my parents and sisters at 4:30am. On our way out of New Smyrna we nodded our farewells to all the familiar sites. On the highway I used cruise control all the way up to Jacksonville because traffic was so light.
Our route took a variation at Savannah so we could visit Ninety Six National Historic Site in South Carolina. We took I-16 west, then came north on state roads up eastern Georgia, through Augusta, and into western South Carolina. At Ninety Six NHS we stepped out into 90 degree temperatures and oppressive humidity. The Visitor Center was closed, but a ranger was on duty to give out info and the all-important Junior Ranger badge. We pushed Finn in a stroller along the 1 mile loop just far enough to reach the old town of Ninety Six, where new Americans defeated British loyalists at their star-shaped fort in the first Revolutionary War battle south of New England. By that point we were so hot and cranky that we headed back and left.
Lunch was at a Sonic in Clinton, SC. We were supposed to stop by Carl Sandburg National Historic Site in Flat Rock, North Carolina, but read that the house was closed still due to COVID, so we instead swung by the southern Visitor Center of the Blue Ridge Parkway, after having sat in traffic on I-26 west. There, we toured the small museum, picked up souvenirs, and got Finn hin ninth Junior Ranger badge of the trip.
The AirBnB we stayed at was only 15 minutes in Asheville. It was a small, hippy-style apartment above a residential bakery just outside the city. The property had ducks, a cat, and a dog named Juniper. The apartment, while advertised as having AC, was stuffy and humid, but was clean and fit our needs.
We decided on trying a restaurant in downtown Asheville. After poking around a few options, we landed on a place called Mayfel’s, which was New Orleans-oriented. I got a shrimp po’boy, Finn had Belgian waffles, and Julia got a caesar salad with shrimp. The food was tasty. After dinner we headed home and had a warm, fitful sleep.
Day 11 August 1, 2021
On the road at 6:30am, we wanted to make minimal stops and try to get home around noon. We made great time through the Smokies, enjoying their beauty along I-40. All was fine until we hit dense fog and driving rain just across the Kentucky border on I-75. It only slowed us down a bit though.
Immediately south of Lexington, Finn woke up from a nap with a lot of hunger and a foul mood. We made a quick stop at a KFC, then Julia took us the rest of the way. Around Florence we were stuck in bad traffic all the way to I-471, but then had no trouble. We got home at 2:00pm and unpacked, then had out traditional Skyline delivered to us so we wouldn’t have to be in the car anymore.
Robinsons on the Road 